The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were unveiled in October of last year, during an event that has become a tradition of sorts for Google to announce new hardware. Along with the phones, a number of other devices were announced, including new variants of the Google Home smart speaker, Pixelbook, the company’s first 2-in-1 device running Chrome OS, Clips, a smart camera, and Pixel Buds, the company’s smart wireless earphones that included real-time translation ability, and more.
This year, the company is expected to follow tradition and announce next-generation hardware sometime in the fall. While what will be shown off is up for debate, it's expected that next generation Pixel devices will be included. However, if a tweet from Evan Blass (@evleaks) is to be believed, the search giant may be planning to introduce a Pixel-branded watch alongside the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, and next-gen Pixel Buds.
Evan Blass has an excellent track record of leaks and scoops, which may lend some credence to the subject matter. This is also the first time that we are hearing about a smartwatch from Google. The company recently rebranded Android Wear to Wear OS, which may reflect a renewed focus on wearables.
At the time of writing, a report from WinFuture further added to Blass' speculation, providing more information that, as per their sources, Google is indeed working on not just one, but three smartwatches. The devices are codenamed ‘Ling', 'Triton', and 'Sardine'. The smartwatches are reportedly in development and have reached the “second level of design verification”. While details and corresponding capabilities of the models are scarce, the report claims that they will be based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform.
Additionally, it adds that the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform will be somewhat similar to the outgoing Wear 2100 chips, running a quad-core CPU. However, the main advantage of the new processor will be its inclusion of a new power management system aimed at wearables and fitness trackers. The technologies borrowed from Qualcomm’s own ‘Blackghost’ ultra low-powered SoC may enable an active standby-like state, letting the watch respond to wake-words or helping power the always-on display.
Sources close to the matter also add that in terms of features, the devices will come with GPS, LTE (with support for VoLTE), Bluetooth (with apt-X – for possible music/audio capabilities), WLAN (Wi-Fi), and a pedometer. They may also include a heart rate sensor and at least 1GB of memory.
Google reportedly wants to go head-to-head against Apple in the wearable space with Wear OS. However, it is believed that there have been massive delays with the project. The first samples of the hardware were delivered to Google in fall 2017 by Taiwanese contract manufacturer Compal Electronics but had to be rejected due to requirements not being met.
As with every rumor, take it with a pinch of salt, but, if true, it may help Google set a benchmark for wearables in its own ecosystem.
Sources: Evan Blass (Twitter), WinFuture via Ubergizmo, CNET
11 Comments - Add comment